Pakistan Squad SWOT Analysis Champions Trophy 2025: Strengths and Weaknesses, Pakistan’s Best Probable Playing 11

Pakistan will defend their ICC Champions Trophy with the tournament set to begin on February 19 2025. Pakistan’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025 have only three players from the title winning team in 2017. This is a new look Pakistan with a new captain, Mohammad Rizwan. Pakistan are in Group A with India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. 

Their biggest strength is a world-class pace attack featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. The batting order of Pakistan was solid until the injury to young opener Saim Ayub. The opening duty will now be done by the former captain, Babar Azam in Ayub’s absence. Abrar Ahmed is the only specialist spinner, with Salman Ali Agha providing support.

Pakistan’s fielding remains inconsistent, and their recent ICC tournament record has been underwhelming since their 2017 triumph. However they have home advantage and home fans to support them in an ICC event. With the hopes of replicating the 2017 title triumph, here is Pakistan’s squad swot analysis Champions Trophy 2025 and Australia’s best probable playing 11.

Pakistan’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Coach:- Aaqib Javed

Pakistan’s Strengths

World-Class Bowling Attack

Pakistan always had a history of having quality fast bowlers in their team and unlike every year, Pakistan’s pace attack is their biggest weapon for this tournament. The trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf brings sheer pace to surprise the batters. However their effectiveness on Pakistan’s pitches is still a concern for Pakistan.

Experienced Batting Core

Pakistan’s batting revolves around Babar Azam, one of the world’s best ODI batters. He is closing in on 6,000 ODI runs at an average of 56.73. To add more experience to the batting lineup, Pakistan have captain Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman. Although Shakeel and Salman don’t have that much ODI experience, they have been a part of Pakistan domestic circuit for a number of years now.

Pakistan’s Weakness

Inconsistent Middle Order

Pakistan lacks proven middle-order batters beyond Babar and Rizwan. Babar is expected to open with Fakhar Zaman which leaves the middle-order vulnerable. The absence of Saim Ayub weakens the top order, while Usman Khan is yet to make his ODI debut. A collapse under pressure will be on the cards for Pakistan with the presence of inexperienced players like Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir and Kamran Ghulam.

Inconsistent Fielding

Pakistan’s fielding has improved but remains unreliable. Dropped catches and misfields have cost them crucial matches in past tournaments. They need to step up their game to compete at the highest level. Pakistan’s fielding in front of the home crowd could get criticized badly if even one catch goes bagging.

Pakistan’s Opportunity

Showcase Home Dominance

Playing in familiar conditions gives Pakistan a significant edge. They have a golden opportunity to dominate at their home venue which will open gates for more opportunities for cricket in Pakistan. A side who is dominant at home has opportunities to invite teams for bilateral series at their home soil. Pakistan can also set standards in the Champions Trophy by defending the title.

Pakistan’s Threat

Big Tournament Performance

Since winning the 2017 Champions Trophy, Pakistan has struggled in ICC tournaments. They failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. Also they lost to USA in T20 World Cup 2024 in a must win game, which resulted in their elimination from the Tournament. This is the biggest threat for Pakistan to not choke in the crucial stages of the Tournament.

Injury Concerns

The pace attack is Pakistan’s biggest weapon, but their fast bowlers like Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf all are injury prone. Looking at the other teams like India who will miss Jasprit Bumrah and Australia who will miss the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Pakistan’s bowling lineup is pretty strong but Injuries to their fast bowlers has to be avoided.

Pakistan Best Playing 11 Champions Trophy 2025

Let’s take a look at Pakistan’s probable best playing 11 for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Based on the squad and team composition, we have analyzed Pakistan’s strongest playing XI for the tournament.

Pakistan Best Playing 11 Champions Trophy 2025: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam/Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir/Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf.

This could be the potential best probable playing 11 for Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025. With the unavailability of Saim Ayub, Babar will open the innings with Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan will play any two out of Kamran Ghulam/Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir/Khushdil Shah in the playing 11. Faheem Ashraf will return straight to the lineup after a long time due to his recent performances in the T20 Leagues. Abrar Ahmed is the only quality spinner in the squad, so he will directly feature in the probable playing 11.

Pakistan Schedule for Champions Trophy 2025

Closing Note

Pakistan enters the Champions Trophy with confidence, backed by a strong squad and home advantage. Their pace attack will be key to their success, while their batting must deliver consistently. With Rizwan’s leadership and recent form, they aim to defend their title and make a mark on the global stage once again.